Fokida (Fokis or Phocis). The prefecture of Fokida is centrally located in Central Greece, north of the Corinthian gulf. It is a green mountainous area on the Corinthian Gulf with several small beaches. Capital of Prefecture Fokida is the town Amfissa (7000 inhabitants). This town, between the mountains Giona and Parnassos, was built in the Middle Ages and was called Salona. According to the ancient Greek writer Pausanias, this town was once a big vibrant city with 70 000 inhabitants.
Fokida is nowadays a prefecture with very good tourist infrastructure that offers a pleasant stay throughout the year. The most famous place in Fokida is Delphi. The visitor will admire the Ancient Stadium of Delphi where every four years, the "Pythia" games took place. Other attractions here are Temple of Apollo, the theatre, the Kastalia Source and the sanctuary of Goddess Athena. In the modern city of Delphi, one can admire the European Cultural Center of Delphi but also the home of Angelos and Eva Sikelianos which are today transformed into the Museum of Delphic celebrations.
From Delphi the visitor can easily visit the monastery of Profitis Ilias on the main road leading to Chrisso. Visitors here will be impressed by the beautiful surroundings. The city of Amfissa is worth a visit. Here is the Metropolitan Temple of Evangelistria, the Salonon Castle, the Acropolis of Amfissa, the Temple of the Redeemer and many other sights.
To the south lies the beautiful seaside town of Itea (9000 inhabitants) with its beautiful beach. Itea was in the past also the resort of the inhabitants of Amfissa and Delphi. Not far from Itea is Kirra, here are archaeological excavations from 3000 BC.found and a little bit further, on the mountain, you will see the town Desfina where the monastery of Agios Ioannis is located. On the way to Nafpaktos is the historic town of Galaxidi with major attractions such as the Church of Agios Nikolaos, the maritime museum, the ethnological museum, the church of Agia Paraskevi, a Byzantine monastery from the year 1250 and others.
Text: Yorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Revised by Maxine van Hoften Gee